[BigFoot]

Apparently, the new F149 or baby Ferrari will have the GT's chassis and it will be a 2+2 folding hardtop.

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200803041004/FREE/452036069

TBH, all of a sudden, my pre-order on the GT S is looking likely to be pulled.

What do you reckon?

 

[BigFoot]

The article says Ferrari could build about 4,000 of these cars a year, which I think is a lot and it would seriously and massively hurt the residuals for the GT S and perhaps the GT too.

 

[M!]

i agree with u... may be get your deposit on a f149 first...

 

[MaseratiBoy]

Agreed.

Much better than the GTS imho...

I may actually follow suit.

 

[BigFoot]

i agree with u... may be get your deposit on a f149 first...

Yes, though it may need to be a different dealer.

BTW, just put my name down for the Alfa 8C Spider (though I was told the cars for Japan were all pre-sold). One way or another, I am getting a new car

 

[M!]

has the factory taking over the distribution of ferraris changed anything?

at least in japan you get quite a few 8C's... and some of them will be resold quite soon...

personally i prefer the coupe vs the spider for the 8C...

 

[Trident Derek]

You guys do realize that if and when this new "F149" materializes it will carry a price tag far in excess of the GT or GT S...don't you? Furthermore, it shouldn't be a surprise to anyone on these forums that a Ferrari based on the GT underpinnings would be built. I thought you guys paid more attention than that.

 

[BigFoot]

The evidence (albeit flimsy) that I have found trawling the web indicates the F149 price range will be quite close to the GT S. If it is not, then I take back the points made in my posts above.

Secondly, Ferrari and Maser never shared chassis to date. Engines, yes and to some extent. But whole chassis is a very dangerous move by Ferrari and it would futher dilute their brand.

Hence I thought Ferrari would never actually pull the trigger on a Dino-type car.

We'll soon see who's right

 

[BigFoot]

has the factory taking over the distribution of ferraris changed anything?

at least in japan you get quite a few 8C's... and some of them will be resold quite soon...

personally i prefer the coupe vs the spider for the 8C...

I was told by the current official dealers (Cornes) that it won't affect their rights. Ferrari simply wanted to have an operating office in Japan to be able to be in touch with clients directly, as Japan is probably one of their Top 5 markets.

Re the 8C Spider, I have very little faith in being in the list, but it was worth spending 5 minutes filling out the online form

 

[Trident Derek]

The evidence (albeit flimsy) that I have found trawling the web indicates the F149 price range will be quite close to the GT S. If it is not, then I take back the points made in my posts above.

Secondly, Ferrari and Maser never shared chassis to date. Engines, yes and to some extent. But whole chassis is a very dangerous move by Ferrari and it would futher dilute their brand.

Hence I thought Ferrari would never actually pull the trigger on a Dino-type car.

We'll soon see who's right

I'm not gonna bet whom is right and whom is wrong but this is also something that has been talked about for a long time...but I'll say it again. When Ferrari "owned" Maserati they were in developement of the next generation Coupe/Spyder but when FIAT spun Maserati off to Alfa Romeo, Ferrari had invested untold millions of Euro so of course Ferrari didn't want to see their efforts go to waste. This "F149" is a car that was born of the Maserati collaboration. If Maserati was still directly under Ferrari's control I doubt we would be having this conversation.
The GT S will be priced in the neighborhood of $132k...Ferrari hasn't had a car priced in that region in almost 10 years. I would be willing to bet that this "F149" will be priced near $180k.

 

[BigFoot]

Fair points

I think the F430 is about $230k (at least it is here in Japan) so $180k would make sense.

The GT S should be more like $150k here in Japan but dealer hasn't confirmed yet

 

[stats007]

I was under the impression the F149 chassis is a joint development and isn't the platform the GT sits on but a new one that Maserati are getting Ferrari to develpo a new V6 engine for?

 

[italiancars]

Secondly, Ferrari and Maser never shared chassis to date. Engines, yes and to some extent. But whole chassis is a very dangerous move by Ferrari and it would futher dilute their brand.

[/SIZE]

Pointless triva: In the 1950s Enzo contracted with the Maserati Brothers (OSCA) to assemble a chassis for an attempt at winning the Indy 500.

 

[JGT]

The GT S Convirtible and the F149 are the only doubts I have to buy the new GT S. Convirtable apparantly is going to be soft top so that is off the list and the F149 will have a 20-25% price premium to the GT S and it is not sure if it will be a V6 or V8...... The detailed GT S specs that Maserati posted on its webside make the car very attractive to me. Love the exhaust with the valves that open up in sport mode and the gearbox that shift faster according to RPM range...

 

[Bcube]

A bit of clarification as I know it:

Platform Facts:
*Modern Quattroporte platform is designated M139.
*GranTurismo platform is shortened M139.
*Alfa 8C Coupe/(Spyder) is based on a GranSport Spyder platform.

Factoids:
*Maserati/Ferrari built a platform specifically for GS/Coupe/Spyder future replacement before the split. (Audi may have been involved in platform collaboration)
*"Baby" F149 Ferrari uses the above platform in a 2+2 or 2+Luggage configuration
*Third model Maserati will use Alfa Romeo's Premium platform

Rumours:
*2010 GT Convertible Ragtop or folding Hardtop. Ragtop seems more probable due to space constraints of a full four seater.
*F149 Ferrari will have folding hardtop.
*Third model Maser will be small(er) coupe/spyder or a four door.

Interesting Speculation:
*MSRP of F149 in $180K+ range. Ferrari 2+2 tend to depreciate almost as quickly as Maseratis. Which model will cannibalize which sales? What about the 612?
*Current Alfa Premium platform is FWD. Maser is (and will be) RWD. Platform may become modified to AWD to accommodate both.

 

[BigFoot]

I must say, the F149 being 2+2 and a folding hardtop may end up looking quite nasty.

 

[moosety2008]

not sure, but..

This kind of looked to me like the spy shot pics of the F149?? What do you guys think? my appologies if this is a repost!

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/...gallery/small/zagato/maserati_gs/render_5.jpg

 

[BigFoot]

That's a Zagato Maser.

The spypics you'll find on the web are all heavily camouflaged GranTurismo's so it's impossible to tell what the new baby Fezza will look like.

 

[MrNice]

Yes, though it may need to be a different dealer.

BTW, just put my name down for the Alfa 8C Spider (though I was told the cars for Japan were all pre-sold). One way or another, I am getting a new car

what's the markup on the 8C Spider? i was mildly interested in the 8c competizione, until i found out they were only sending about 50 cars to america. considering my pre-order on a 430 Scud was over $600k, i reckon the 8C competizione will draw a higher premium...

 

[BigFoot]

MrNice: I haven't been contacted yet but since it's sold directly by Fiat Japan, not by a specific dealer, I don't think it will be marked up.